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Lazybones's Keep on the Shadowfell/Thunderspire Labyrinth
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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 4473769" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 34</p><p></p><p></p><p>“There was a battle here,” Jaron said, crouched low in the muddy dirt of the road. </p><p></p><p>“Good place for an ambush,” Mara confirmed, scanning the forested rise to their left, and the bend in the road up ahead that could have concealed just about anything. </p><p></p><p>“How long?” Devrem asked. </p><p></p><p>Jaron paused, examining the signs. “Nine, ten days, maybe a little more.” </p><p></p><p>“Good eyes,” Elevaren commented. “The elements should have obscured any evidence in that time.”</p><p></p><p>“The signs are faint,” the halfling said, “But I think that people died here.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s right around the time that your brother was killed, wasn’t it?” the warlock asked, his voice sympathetic. </p><p></p><p>“I thought he was found further south, near the King’s Road?” Mara asked. </p><p></p><p>“Perhaps that is what we were meant to believe,” Devrem said. “Come, we’re losing time lingering here.”</p><p></p><p>“It’s not a waste if we learn about what we’re up against,” Mara countered. She had already chafed against the cleric’s leadership of their company, and a simmering tension had arisen between the two humans. </p><p></p><p>“We already know what we’re up against,” Devrem said. “Whatever minions Kalarel has accumulated, they must be defeated. The cleric must be stopped before he can complete his ritual.”</p><p></p><p>They could see the keep clearly now, the outline of the ruined walls just visible over the trees ahead of them. The road continued to meander as it ascended the rise, and soon they were all breathing hard from the effort of the climb. But it was still well short of noon as they finally emerged from the trees to see the dramatic remains of the legendary fortress spread out in rubble before them. While some of the keep’s walls remained mostly intact, one look was enough to indicate that the entire interior was collapsed wreckage.</p><p></p><p>“Keep a close eye out,” Mara said. “Anything at all could be hidden in that debris.” Jaron moved out ahead, moving silently and cautiously over the packed earth. The others followed, moving with deliberation. </p><p></p><p>“There is a... shadow, over this place,” Elevaren said. </p><p></p><p>“The story of the keep is a sad one,” Devrem said. </p><p></p><p>“Nothing grows here,” Elevaren noted. The others, looking around, saw that he was right; no weeds broke out among the rubble, not so much as a stray sprig of grass. It was as though a dead zone had settled around the keep. Even the sounds of the insects and birds that had followed them up the trail had faded away, leaving a preternatural quiet that was almost eerie.</p><p></p><p>“The portal to the Shadowfell was opened nearly two hundred years ago,” Devrem explained. That was in the days when Nerath was still a force in the world, and its soldiers responded, destroying the undead armies that came through the gate, sealing the rift, and building this fortress to ward it.”</p><p></p><p>“What happened?” Mara asked, interested despite herself, although she did not take her eyes from the ruins as Jaron continued probing along the outer wall. There was a breach up ahead, where the old gatehouse might have once stood by the look of it, and the halfling led them in that direction. </p><p></p><p>“With Nerath’s fall, the place fell into decline,” Devrem said. It was about eighty years ago when it finally came to an end. A consecrated warrior of noble line named Sir Keegan was master of the fortress in those days. One night he went mad, slaying his wife and children, and then setting upon his captains, one by one.”</p><p></p><p>“Gods,” Mara breathed. </p><p></p><p>“The garrison was finally roused, and they were able to drive Keegan into the dungeons under the keep. They say that when he came to his senses, he took his own life. Since that day, the keep has been seen as cursed, and it has lain abandoned.”</p><p></p><p>“Understandable,” Elevaren said. </p><p></p><p>Jaron signaled from up ahead. The others came forward to join him, and could see that a narrow path had been cleared through the rubble. The halfling pointed to where the tread of booted feet was visible in the dirt. Up ahead, the remnants of a wall overshadowed a dark opening. Moving closer, the adventurers could see that a stone staircase led down into the hill under the keep. </p><p></p><p>“Bad smell,” Beetle said. Mara jumped slightly; the halfling had suddenly appeared right beside her. His coat was covered in stone dust, indicating that he’d conducted some explorations of his own through the ruins. </p><p></p><p>“Stay close, Beetle,” Jaron warned, moving to the top of the stairs. “There’s light down below,” he said to the others, keeping his voice low. </p><p></p><p>“There will almost certainly be guards,” Devrem responded. </p><p></p><p>“Stay back a bit,” the ranger said. With Beetle a few paces behind him, he started warily down the stairs, hugging the wall, blending into the shadows within a few steps. Within a few seconds, both halflings had vanished from view from above. </p><p></p><p>Mara gave them a count of ten, then moved forward. The darkness of the stairs seemed cold, malevolent, like a gaping maw waiting to swallow her. </p><p></p><p>The fighter shivered. She drew her swords, grasping the hilts tightly. Then, with the cleric and warlock flanking her, she started down.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 4473769, member: 143"] Chapter 34 “There was a battle here,” Jaron said, crouched low in the muddy dirt of the road. “Good place for an ambush,” Mara confirmed, scanning the forested rise to their left, and the bend in the road up ahead that could have concealed just about anything. “How long?” Devrem asked. Jaron paused, examining the signs. “Nine, ten days, maybe a little more.” “Good eyes,” Elevaren commented. “The elements should have obscured any evidence in that time.” “The signs are faint,” the halfling said, “But I think that people died here.” “That’s right around the time that your brother was killed, wasn’t it?” the warlock asked, his voice sympathetic. “I thought he was found further south, near the King’s Road?” Mara asked. “Perhaps that is what we were meant to believe,” Devrem said. “Come, we’re losing time lingering here.” “It’s not a waste if we learn about what we’re up against,” Mara countered. She had already chafed against the cleric’s leadership of their company, and a simmering tension had arisen between the two humans. “We already know what we’re up against,” Devrem said. “Whatever minions Kalarel has accumulated, they must be defeated. The cleric must be stopped before he can complete his ritual.” They could see the keep clearly now, the outline of the ruined walls just visible over the trees ahead of them. The road continued to meander as it ascended the rise, and soon they were all breathing hard from the effort of the climb. But it was still well short of noon as they finally emerged from the trees to see the dramatic remains of the legendary fortress spread out in rubble before them. While some of the keep’s walls remained mostly intact, one look was enough to indicate that the entire interior was collapsed wreckage. “Keep a close eye out,” Mara said. “Anything at all could be hidden in that debris.” Jaron moved out ahead, moving silently and cautiously over the packed earth. The others followed, moving with deliberation. “There is a... shadow, over this place,” Elevaren said. “The story of the keep is a sad one,” Devrem said. “Nothing grows here,” Elevaren noted. The others, looking around, saw that he was right; no weeds broke out among the rubble, not so much as a stray sprig of grass. It was as though a dead zone had settled around the keep. Even the sounds of the insects and birds that had followed them up the trail had faded away, leaving a preternatural quiet that was almost eerie. “The portal to the Shadowfell was opened nearly two hundred years ago,” Devrem explained. That was in the days when Nerath was still a force in the world, and its soldiers responded, destroying the undead armies that came through the gate, sealing the rift, and building this fortress to ward it.” “What happened?” Mara asked, interested despite herself, although she did not take her eyes from the ruins as Jaron continued probing along the outer wall. There was a breach up ahead, where the old gatehouse might have once stood by the look of it, and the halfling led them in that direction. “With Nerath’s fall, the place fell into decline,” Devrem said. It was about eighty years ago when it finally came to an end. A consecrated warrior of noble line named Sir Keegan was master of the fortress in those days. One night he went mad, slaying his wife and children, and then setting upon his captains, one by one.” “Gods,” Mara breathed. “The garrison was finally roused, and they were able to drive Keegan into the dungeons under the keep. They say that when he came to his senses, he took his own life. Since that day, the keep has been seen as cursed, and it has lain abandoned.” “Understandable,” Elevaren said. Jaron signaled from up ahead. The others came forward to join him, and could see that a narrow path had been cleared through the rubble. The halfling pointed to where the tread of booted feet was visible in the dirt. Up ahead, the remnants of a wall overshadowed a dark opening. Moving closer, the adventurers could see that a stone staircase led down into the hill under the keep. “Bad smell,” Beetle said. Mara jumped slightly; the halfling had suddenly appeared right beside her. His coat was covered in stone dust, indicating that he’d conducted some explorations of his own through the ruins. “Stay close, Beetle,” Jaron warned, moving to the top of the stairs. “There’s light down below,” he said to the others, keeping his voice low. “There will almost certainly be guards,” Devrem responded. “Stay back a bit,” the ranger said. With Beetle a few paces behind him, he started warily down the stairs, hugging the wall, blending into the shadows within a few steps. Within a few seconds, both halflings had vanished from view from above. Mara gave them a count of ten, then moved forward. The darkness of the stairs seemed cold, malevolent, like a gaping maw waiting to swallow her. The fighter shivered. She drew her swords, grasping the hilts tightly. Then, with the cleric and warlock flanking her, she started down. [/QUOTE]
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